a very unique experience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very unique experience" is commonly used in written English, though it is often debated for its correctness.
You can use it to emphasize the distinctiveness of an experience, although "unique" itself implies singularity, making "very unique" somewhat redundant. Example: "The festival offered a very unique experience that left all attendees in awe."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"It will be a very unique experience".

The New York Times

"It's a very unique experience," said Jenny Morgenthau, the executive director of the fund.

The New York Times

It is a very unique experience in a small group away from the modern world.

The Guardian - Travel

"It's a very unique experience in professional baseball," said P.J. CAREY, the manager of the Casper Rockies.

The New York Times - Sports

I personally like the confusion, that you don't know what it is but it still creates a very unique experience".

The Guardian - Arts

I don't know how many players have done that, American players, so I'm just grateful for every opportunity, and it's just a very unique experience for me".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

KH: You're seeing people graduating with a degree in botany who've maybe worked for a cannabis company for six years and are seen as having very unique experience.

TechCrunch

"We had a very unique, shared experience that not many people on this earth can say they've had," he added.

The New York Times

Instead, if you think you can swing a couple of extra hours driving from Austin, I'd say head to El Paso, Texas for fantastic Tex-Mex food and a very unique cultural experience, great museum and interesting shopping.

The Guardian - Travel

"The Wii platform and the Wii consumer are looking for a very unique sports experience," said Peter Moore, president of EA SPORTS.

TechCrunch

Watching a live artist work with string instead of brushes was a very unique, tactile experience.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "very unique experience" with alternatives like "one-of-a-kind experience" or "distinctive experience" to avoid potential redundancy and strengthen your writing.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "very" to intensify adjectives. Instead, select a more descriptive and precise adjective that inherently conveys the intended level of uniqueness, such as "extraordinary" or "exceptional".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very unique experience" functions as a noun phrase, where "unique" is an adjective modifying the noun "experience", and "very" intensifies the adjective. Ludwig indicates it's often used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a very unique experience" is a common way to describe something exceptional and distinct. While considered acceptable in general usage, according to Ludwig, it's worth noting the potential redundancy of using "very" with "unique", as the latter already implies being one-of-a-kind. Consider using alternatives like "one-of-a-kind experience" or "distinctive experience" for greater precision and impact. The phrase appears frequently in news and media sources, reflecting its broad appeal despite potential grammatical critiques.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exceptionally unique experience

Adds emphasis on the exceptional nature of the experience's uniqueness.

a truly one-of-a-kind experience

Emphasizes the singular and irreplaceable nature of the experience.

a particularly distinctive experience

Highlights the distinctiveness and special character of the experience.

an especially remarkable experience

Focuses on the noteworthy and memorable qualities of the experience.

an unforgettable experience

Stresses the lasting impact and memorability of the experience.

a highly singular experience

Emphasizes the singularity and unusual nature of the experience.

a supremely special experience

Highlights the exceptional and cherished nature of the experience.

a very memorable experience

Focuses on the ease with which the experience is remembered.

an extraordinarily unusual experience

Underscores how exceptionally uncommon the experience is.

a significantly impactful experience

Highlights the importance and effect it had on someone.

FAQs

How can I use "a very unique experience" in a sentence?

You can use "a very unique experience" to describe something that stands out and is unlike anything else. For example: "Visiting that museum was "a very unique experience"."

What can I say instead of "a very unique experience"?

You can use alternatives like "a one-of-a-kind experience", "a distinctive experience", or "an unforgettable experience depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a unique experience" or "a very unique experience"?

While "a unique experience" is grammatically sound, some use ""a very unique experience"" for emphasis. However, "unique" already implies being one-of-a-kind, so the addition of "very" can be seen as redundant.

What's the difference between "a unique experience" and "a common experience"?

"A unique experience" describes something rare and special, while "a common experience" describes something that happens frequently to many people. They are near opposites.